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Porterbrook is committed to being a good corporate citizen

As a business, and as individuals, we endeavour to support local community initiatives located close to our London and Derby offices.

We also actively support specific charity and voluntary initiatives that take place in locations across the railways of Britain.

Three Peaks Challenge - 13th and 15th June 2019

The Three Peaks Challenge saw teams from across the railway industry climb the highest mountains in England, Scotland and Wales, with a special train ferrying participants to the foothills of each. In the process the railway industry raised significant sums to support the Railway Children’s charitable activities that support vulnerable children, both at home and abroad.

The two teams from Porterbrook conquered the three peaks challenge in just over 13 hours for the Railway Children charity.

The teams comprised of Team one: Neil Foster, Peter Coates, Rachel Drew, Stephen Ball and Stefan Rose and Team two: Jonathan Bell, Nick Taylor, Christian Peckham and Mark Hallam. Team two had the combined age of over 200 years and yet managed to pull out all the stops for the Railway Children.

Porterbrook was the lead sponsor for the only rail linked Three Peaks challenge and will continue to support the event next year. As well as sponsorship, over £6,000 was raised by the teams for the charity through the climbs.

The Three Peaks challenge is to climb the three highest peaks of Scotland, England and Wales. The total walking distance is 23 miles and the total ascent is 3,064 metres.

Railway Children help kids around the world who have found themselves living on the streets at a young age through poverty, abuse, violence and neglect. The charity vows to help children before they become entrenched in street life.

Mary Grant, CEO of Porterbrook, said: “Porterbrook was delighted to be sponsoring this year’s Railway Children Three Peaks challenge and is proud of what the teams have achieved. The money raised is going to help children both at home and abroad, who have found themselves at a disadvantage. The Three Peaks event is a gruelling challenge covering miles of climbing over days and we are very impressed with how well all the teams have done, especially our very own mountaineers. This event is a wonderful demonstration of the teamwork and collaboration that happens every day in the rail industry, this time in the name of charity.”

Walking a marathon along Hadrian's Wall for Alzheimer's Society

Alex Greig, Jon Bell and Nick Taylor from Porterbrook took part in a 26-mile walk on 11 August 2018 for Alzheimer's Society. The walk started at Haltwhistle in Northumberland under clear blue skies and the team finished some nine hours 28 minutes later. The challenge involved a circular walk retracing ancient Roman paths around Hadrian’s Wall, one of the UK’s most historical landmarks.

Derby City Mission

With a passion to love, invest, free and empower the most vulnerable in the city and surrounding county, Derby City Mission’s uniqueness is in building trust whilst respecting the dignity of the most marginalised in society.

Founded in 1989, initially as the first food bank nationwide, alongside a debt advisory service, the registered Christian charity has been offering a range of support services to people in crisis and the local community for 30 years.Derby City Mission reaches out to people in crisis through a number of projects including Nightshelters in Derby and Derbyshire, Debt and Advice Clinics and a Food Bank. The Charity also support Schools in the local community and provides street support to the emergency services with its Street Pastor Programme.

Although many of the initiatives do focus on helping people in need, their vision is to address causes which lead to chaotic lifestyles. These are issues such as addictions, mental health, low skills, broken relationships and involvement in the criminal justice system.Their services are delivered by a dedicated team of over 25FTE employees and an inspiring 500 volunteers including Porterbrook employees.To find out how you can get involved through volunteering, giving or praying, please go to their website at www.derbycitymission.org.uk

Porterbrook team raises money for children's hospice

On Saturday 19th May 2018 a team of 15 Porterbrook employees travelled to Belvoir Castle in Grantham to take part in the Midlands Tough Mudder event. The 10-mile course with 27 obstacles took around 4 ½ hours to complete. The event raised £260 for Rainbows Children’s Hospice.